According to research, approximately 313 million spine surgeries are performed each year around the globe. Whether you’re scheduled for spinal fusion, artificial disk replacement, discectomy, foraminotomy, vertebroplasty, nucleoplasty, or any other type of spine surgery, make sure you’re fully prepared.
You should have a good understanding of why you require this surgery, what will happen in the operating room, and how you will recover in the coming months. Complete preparation will go a long way in helping you feel comfortable, confident, and content in the days leading up to your surgery.
In this blog, we’ll offer a closer look at three things you should ask your spine specialist before surgery. We hope that this information will empower you through your surgical journey and make you feel more comfortable.
1. What Can I Do to Improve the Outcome of My Surgery?
Patients are requested to make certain lifestyle changes in the days leading up to their surgery. Make a list of these instructions. For instance, smoking increases the risk of postsurgical complications. If you’re a smoker, you will be asked to quit.
Successful spine surgery is also contingent on other factors, like healthy body weight. Obesity increases the risk of complications like blood clotting. If you’re overweight, your surgeon may instruct you to lose weight before the surgery.
Certain back conditions make it extremely difficult to exercise. Your surgeon will recommend low-impact exercise and put you in touch with a nutritionist. Careful, strategic exercise and the right diet plan will help you improve your health leading up to your surgery.
Recommended Read: Is Back Surgery the Best Treatment Option? Find Out Here.
2. How Many Spine Surgeries Have You Performed?
This question is important: Ask your doctor how many surgeries like yours they have performed, especially for patients with similar symptoms. Don’t be afraid to discuss the outcomes and how you can achieve similar success.
For instance, if you’re getting spinal fusion, your doctor should have the appropriate amount of experience to make you feel comfortable. Ask them about the procedure and the operating room. What types of technology do they use?
Inquire into the complication rate. Their response will help you feel more confident or realize that the surgery may not be right for you. Or you may decide to continue to interview other orthopedic spine specialists until you find one you are more comfortable with.
3. Can I Get Pre- and Postop Instructions in Writing?
If your doctor reads the pre- and postop instructions to you, ask for them in writing. Most doctors will provide materials to help you throughout the process. The more they provide in writing the better, because you’re under enough pressure as it is, and you may not remember everything you need to do before and after surgery.
When everything is in written form, you’ll be able to review it and ensure you’re doing everything right to prepare for surgery and to make the proper arrangements to help you recover.
Spine surgery can be daunting, but with the right doctor, you can begin the journey with confidence. At Houston Physicians’ Hospital, our experienced and compassionate orthopedic spine specialists provide patients with the care they need to optimize favorable patient outcomes. Our award-winning pre- and postop care ensures patients feel comfortable and confident before and during their surgery and all the way through recovery.
Find a doctor who’s right for you.
As one of the leading surgical Specialty Hospital near NASA TX, we also provide treatments for a number of other conditions, including upper back pain, MR-guided focused ultrasound for essential tremors, and other orthopedic and neurological conditions.